Wheeled scraper



A. s'rou. WHEELED SCRAPER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1919.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

2 sHTs-snET l.

A TTOR NE Y.

A. B. STOUT.

WHEELED SCRAPER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1919.

BY 4m.

ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES ABRAHAM BEECHER STOUT, OF PLYMOUTH, INDIANA...

WHEELED SCRAPER.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, ABRAHAM BnEorrER S'roUT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plymouth, Indiana, in the county of Marshall, have invented a new and useful Wheeled Scraper, of which the following is the specification.

This invention is a device for taking dirt from one location and depositing it in another, as for example, in bringing fields where irrigation is practised to an even surface by shaving off the high spots and depositing the removed dirt in the sinks o r low places. The object of the invention 1s to provide a scraper that can b e adyusted to cut any desired thickness of dirt, to collect and hold the dirt so removed, to transport and dump the dirt where wanted and to level it off while it is being dumped whereby the labor and expense of hand shoveling at both places is wholly eliminated and the work of several men and teams accomplished by a single man with one team.

A further object is to provide a device wherein an adjustment to determine the thickness of the cut can be instantly changed while the cut is being made, as well as before, and wherein 1the dirt is lifted gradually up the scoop-bottom, in the manner of the mold-board of a plow, to aid in reducing the labor to a minimum; and the object is so to proportion and combine the parts as to further lighten the work and economize in power required to accomplish it.

1 obtain the above objects and others which will hereinafter appear, by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of my invention. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, on a larger scale, of the platform and rear axle and their assembled mechanism for regulating the depth of cut. Fig. 4 is a plan view and partial horizontal section of same. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3 showing the ratchet connection between the axle and wheels for the differential movement of the latter in turning corners, and Fig. 7 is a fragment in cross section showing hand-leverage applied to the scooplifting mechanism. i

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings.

Specification of Letters Patent. `Patented N0V 23, 1920.

Application led September 2, 1919.

Serial No. 321,213.

In the evolution of my machine one of the early forms comprised what is now the rear axle 7 wheels 8, 8, mounted thereon, a U- shaped frame 9 bowed toward the front, and scraper 10 with trunnions 11, 11, by which it was pivotally suspended by and within the frame in boxes 12, 12, thereon. These features remain the same. The draft-team was hitched directly to the bowed end of the frame 9, and the results weresubstantially as with -the present structure except that there was no way by which the depth of the cut made by the scoop could be regu lated. Its action was erratic. Sometimes it would dig in too much, stalling the team or removing more dirt than desired, or would not go deep enough, and hand-leveling with pick and shovel was required to finish the job. A two-wheeled front truck 13, and link-means for adjustably supporting the front end of the frame 9 from the truck were added, and, after much experimentation to get the proportionate height of truck-frame's'o when the connecting link was taut the pull would be nearly direct, with a slight upward tendency, these were found to afford the desired regulation in depth of cut.

A V-shaped link 14, is pivotally connected at its angle to the truck 13, and the outwardly bent ends of the stems of the V are passed through holes in posts 15, 15, seated in frame 9 thereby providing hinge-joints. Mounted on the stems of the V-shaped link 14, is a standard 1G from which a'third connection is made with frame 9, this last being an adjustable connection, here shown as chains 17, with the middle of the bow of the frame by means of which the front end of the frame is raised thereby so elevating the scoop that it will take a thinner cut of dirt. By letting out more chain-length the frame will lower by gravity to increase the cut. The means for regulating the length of chain to vary the height of frame will be described later on.

On the rear of frame 9 is a platform 18, to the lower side of which a pair of oppositely disposed levers 19, 19, are pivoted (see Figs. 3 and 4). These levers are held normally against stops 2O by springs 21, 21, but are swung away from the stops by tie rods 22, 22, connecting them with opposite arms of a double bell-crank lever 23, pivoted under the platform to a bracket 24, depending from the platform (see Fig. 3).

sure by the operator on foot-bar 24.

arms from the scoop are two in number and are shown at 27, 27, and hold the scoop in cutting position by locking in the notches 26. The arms are released by a foot preshen the scoop drops by gravity with its front edge contacting the ground and is rotated on its trunnions by the forward travel of the machine aided by runners 28, 28, curved concentrically of the trunnions until the arms 27 are brought by a complete circuit about trunnions 11, around to and automatically locked in the notches of the spring-pressed levers 19.

The bottom of scoop 10 is flat and parallel with the frame 9 when cutting dirt. It is sloped to make it cut in by tilting the frame. The sides of the scoop are parallel and at right angles with the bottom. The back of the scoop is by preference rearwardly obliqued and is joined to the bottom by a round corner.

I will now describe the mechanism for raising the front of frame 9 and for releasing it so it will lower by gravity. l employ a double mechanism: one operated bypower and only available while the machine is traveling forward, and the other operated by hand and always available within the more limited strength of the operator.

Taking the power-lift first; mounted on the platform 18 is a standard 29 having a stub-shaft 30 on which is a sheave 31, and loosely mounted on the axle 7 is a drum 32 to which an end of a chain 17 is attached. This chain passes over sheave 31 and thence to and over a sheave 33 mounted on a short shaft 34 supported by the standard 16. The end 17 of chain 17 is continued down to frame 9 where it is made fast to an eye 35. Integral with drum 32 is a ratchet-wheel 36 which is engaged by a pawl-lever 43. The latter is pivoted to the platform 18 and is thrown out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel by a push-bar 44 manipulated by the operators foot. A spring 45 normally contacts the pawl with the ratchet wheel. Integral with the ratchet-wheel is a clutch-half 37, and splined to the ankle 7 is a mating clutch-half 38,A having a loose collar with trunnions which engage a yoke 39 with an integral arm extension which is jointed to the cranked end of a rock-shaft 40. The latter is mounted in boxes on the platform. The other end of the rock-shaft is cranked in opposite direction from the rst and terminates with a' foot-plate 41 which the operator presses to throw the clutch-half 38 into engagement with its mate thereby locking the drum to the axle. The. axle 7 is connected by a pawl and ratchet mechanism with the road wheels 8 to rotate with the forward movement of the machine and to give a differential movement in turning corners, and the like. The drum 32 will be rotated under the conditions above named and the chain wound on it until the operator takes his foot off of the foot-plate 41. Then a spring 42 rocks the shaft 4() back disengaging the clutch, but the drum is held by pawl 43 and ratchet 36. To guard against wrapping too much of the chain on the drum I provide cam-lugs 46 and 47 on the ratchet-wheel 36 and yoke 39, respectively, which contact and automatically open the clutch.

The above mechanism is for raising the front end of the frame which by reason of the load being so much to one side (in front) of the pivotal point (the axle 7) of the frame, is lowered by gravity upon release of the forward end of the frame. This release is afforded by raising the pawl-lever 43 out of engagement with ratchet-wheel 36; and, to keep the frame from dropping too far down when released, I provide an extension from drum 32 around which is a brake-strap 48, tightened by a foot-lever 49, pivoted to the platform 18. The operator by bearing on lever 49 with one foot can hold the elevated position of the frame 9 and let it down as much or little and as quickly or slowly as he desires.

It sometimes happens that the scoop strikes an obstruction or ground of a character that stalls the machine requiring a less bite to be immediately taken which involves the raisin of the front of the frame. But if the mac iine is standing still the power to lift it is not operative, and for such emergencies, as well as for quick adjustments on light work, I provide a manually-operated mechanism. This comprises a bent lever which is pivotedmat its angle to the standard 29 with a lower arm 50 substantially horizontal and terminating with a foot-bearing plate and an upper vertical arm 51 connected by a chain 52 with the long arm of a lever 53 pivoted on the short shaft 34 supported by standard 16. A short arm of this lever is connected by chain 17 to eye 35 on frame 9. The standard 29 has a notched segment 54 with which the arm 50 of the foot lever is engaged to hold adjust ments. The upper arm 51 is continued to provide a hand-lever 57 on which the opera tor can also pull to lift the frame 9.

The arm 51 is provided at its upper end with an extension 56 longitudinally forward of the machine terminating with a downward hook to engage the edge of the scraper when the latter is partially rotated to begin to dump its load and hold the scraper to act as a leveler, as shown by dotted llnes in Flg. 2. Thus the machine may be utilized to cut down and level the high places and also to till and level off the low ones with the removed dirt. all Without the requirement of handshoveling.

In the form shown in Fig. 7, whiclrin many cases Will be the preferred one, lever 57, chain 52 and lever 53 and its chain 17 will be dispensed with and a hand lever and pawl so mounted on the platform 18 that the pavvl will engage the teeth of ratchet Wheel 36 and Wind drum 32. In Fig. 7 the ratchet Wheel is numbered 36 and 57 is the hand lever which is pivotally supported by a bracket 58 from the platform 18. On the loiver end of the lever is a paivl 59 which is held normally out of engagement With the ratchet Wheel by a spring (5() wrapped around a rod 71 attached to the cranked end ot' short lever 72. Then the latter is pressed by the iingers of the .operator against the hand lever 57 the paWl 1s thrown into engagement with the teeth of the Wheel 36 causing the latter and attached winding drum to be rotated to Wind up chain 17 when lever 57 is moved in a for- Ward direction or direction of travel of the machine.

T he operation of the machine has been so fully explained in connection With the description of its parts that further explanation is unnecessary, and, While I have shown the .most approved form of mecha.- nism now known to me I am aware that variations in arrangement, as of the mechanism assembled on axle 7 and levers operating same, and substitutions as in leverage and springs are possible Without departing from the spirit ot this invention. I therefore expressly reserve my right to all modifications and changes coming Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a scraper, a frame, a scoop pivotally supported on lixed pivots by the frame, a truck separate from and in advance of the frame and supporting the front end ot the frame, means tor holding t'he scoop in a xed position relative to the frame While loading, means for tilting the end of the frame to vary the cutting depth of the scoop and means for releasing and rotating the scoop to dump its load. v

2. In a Wheeled scraper, a frame, Wheels on the axis of which is a truck separate from and in advance of theframe and supporting the front end of the frame, the frame is pivoted near an end of the frame, a scoop pivotally supported by the Jframe, means for holding the scoop in a fixed position relative to the frame While loading, means for tilting the end of the frame about the axis of the Wheels to vary the cutting depth ot the scoop and means for 4releasing and rotating the scoop to dump its load.

3. In a Wheeled scraper, a main frame, a pair of wheels on a common axis on which axis the frame is pivoted near one end, a truck separate from and in advance of the Jframe and supporting the 'front end of the frame, a scoop pivotally supported by the frame, manually cont-rolled means for tilting the end of the frame about the axis to vary the cutting depth of the scoop, means .for holding the scoop in a xed position relative to the frame While loading, and manually controlled means for releasing and rotating the scoop to dump its load.

4. In a scraper, a main trame, a scoop pivotally supported by the frame said scoop having runners curved concentrically of the pivot-supports, a truck separate from and in advance of the frame and supporting the front end of the frame, means comprising spring catches for holding the scoop fixed With relation to the frame While loading, manually controlled means for releasing the scoop for dumping and manually controlled means .for tilting the end of the' frame remote from the scoop to vary the cutting depth of the scoop.

5. In a Wheeled scraper, a pair of Wheels, an axle on which the wheels are mounted, a main frame pivotally mounted near one end on said axle, means comprising a truck separate from and in advance of the frame for supporting the other. end of the frame, manually controlled means for varying the distance of this end of the frame from the ground, a scoop pivotally supported by the frame, means `for holding the scoop fixed with relation to the trame vvhile loading and ymanually controlled means Jfor releasing the scoop to dump it.

6. In a Wheeled scraper, an axle and a pair of Wheels mounted thereon, a main frame pivoted near one end to the axle, means comprising a truck separate from and in advance of the trame for supporting the other end` ol' the frame, a scoop pivotally supported by the frame, means for holding the scoop in lixed relation to the frame while loading, means for adjusting the other end ot the frame trom the scoop to vary the cutting depth of the scoop, manually controlled means 'for releasing and rotating it to dump and means for arresting its rotation and for holding it in position to act as a leveler.

7. In a wheeled scraper, an axle and a pair ot Wheels mounted thereon, a main frame pivoted near one end by the axle, a truck, means adjustably supporting the other end of the frame from the truck, a. scoop pivotally supported by the frame hav-V ing runners curved concentrically of said pivotsupports, means for holding the scoop in ixed relation to the frame while loading, manually controlled means for releasing androtating it to dump and means for arresting its rotation and for holding it in positionvto act as a leveler.

8L In a wheeled scraper', an axle and a pair of wheels mounted thereon, a frame pivoted at its rear end by the axle, a truck, a link 'connecting the truck and frame at points rearwardly of the front end of the frame, adjustable means for supporting the front end of the frame from the ink, manually controlled means for adjusting said last means, a scoop pivotally supported by the frame, means for holding it 1n fixed relation to the frame While loadin and manually controlled means for releasing it to dump.

9. In a Wheeled scraper, an axle and a pair of Wheels mounted thereon, a main frame pivoted at its rear end to the axle, a truck in advance of said frame and mounted on Wheels independently of said axle, means for supporting the front end of the frame from said truck, means comprising a drum mounted on said axle for raising the front end of the frame while the machine is advancing, means for releasing it to lower by gravity and for arresting the descent at the will of the operator, a scoo) pivotally supported by the frame, means ior holdin it in fixed relation to the frame while loa ing and manually controlled means for releasin it to dump.

10. n a Wheeled scraper, an axle and a pair of Wheels mounted thereon, a frame pivoted at its rear end by the axle, a truck, a link connecting the truck and frame at points rearwardly of the front end of the frame, adjustable means for supporting the front end of the frame from the link comprising a sheave supported by the link, a drum having annular ratchets said drum being mounted on said axle, a chain passing around the sheave and attached to the frame and drum, a hand-lever pivotally supported from the machine frame and a paWl carried by the hand lever and engagin the ratchets on the drum; a sooo pivota ly supported by the frame, means ihr holding it in fixed relation to the frame While loading and manually controlled means for releasing it to dump.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 5th `55 

